Finding light in the darkness, hope in the midst of hopelessness

The most loving prayer we can pray for someone is for them to decide to follow Jesus. This prayer can be for those who have never tried to follow Him or for those who have turned away. Any of us can find ourselves in a dark and painful place, but without Jesus, in the darkness our hope will drain away. With Him, there is always the light of hope in the ultimate healing and reconciliation He has promised HIs followers.The Greatest Miracle in any human life is to be restored in our broken relationship with God. Jesus makes this miracle possible. In the Bible, Paul describes this as being rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God's Son (Colossians 1:13-14). We also often describe this as being "born again" (John 3:3, 7; 1Peter 1:3, 23). We really can start over in our relationship with God and enter into eternal life with Him. This is an unending life that is blessed beyond what we can ask or imagine (John 10:10 and 17:2-3; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 3:20). And what is most amazing is that we can be confident that the transfer to His Kingdom of light has taken place. Part of the reason that the Bible was written was for us to know for sure that we have this eternal life (1John 5:13). The Bible goes on to say that what we ask for, we will receive if it is according to God's will (1John 5:14-15); and the Bible lets us know that it is God's will for everyone to be saved (1Timothy 2:4). However, we have to ask for ourselves, and we have to ask believing certain things about God.Some of the simplest and most direct instructions in the Bible about how to do this are in Romans 10:9-10:if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. To be saved like this means that you have been transferred into the Kingdom of God's Son and that you have the guaranteed eternal life.That is the core of what one must do, what is necessary. There are other things too that are very important. Water baptism with a public confession of faith strengthens our commitment to live as a Christian. Regular meeting and sharing with other believers will help strengthen our faith. Reading the Bible, praying every day, and sharing our resources are also important. Doing these things demonstrates that we believe Jesus is our resurrected Lord. If you have not put your trust in Jesus Christ, we at UPT urge you to do so. Quoted Bible verses are from the English Standard Version.This was written by Gary W. Fick in 2013.

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